Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-07-04
The Mysterious Bliss ButterfieId Relates a
Wild Yarn.

CHICAGO, July 3d.-A special dispatch to
morning paper from Caro-, Michigan.
says: Mrs. Brooks, whose peculiar disap-
pearance from her home at Juniata, near
here, and whose sensational letter from her
place OF imprisonment in Colorado was
given wide publicity, has returned home
with a remarkable story which she told
to-day amid torrent of tears. She is
looking haggard and carewern. Her wrists
bear evidence OF her assertion that she was
brutally tied up. Her fingers ends GER
tainly look as if her claim that an attempt
was made TO draw her nails with pincers is
true. She said
twenty-five years age | was engaged to
be married to Marcus Vandore. He entered
the army, was wounded, came home and
died. He was possessed of a competency.
but just before his death this was increased
by large legacy from France. Marcus
was descendant of Count Vaudore, a
French nobleman. This legacy was all in
cash and bonds. Before his death Eandore
made will bequeathing me $500 900. The
instrument was drawn by lawyer Shoeman
OF Indiana. 1t was not until several wears
later that became apprized of the nature
OF the will, and was then married to Mr.
BROOKS. When / spoke of proving my
claim my husband grew indignant, and
declared that | might take NV lovers
money and go. The trouble over this
money was the only cloud that came into
our married life. For fourteen yeais [
brooded over it. Then came a letter from
lawyer stating that the money was lying
idle, and that | should claim it. 1t was in
the custody of Anna Vandore, Marcus sis
ter. Later we met and entered into corre-
spondence, which was kept up until Miss
Vandore left for France. Before she went
an understanding was reached that l
should have the money whenever claimed
1t, and to prevent fraud we agreed upon
secret mark to attach to all checks and
drafts. Last fall a letter came asking me
to meet lady in st. Louis, but instead
of meeting her lawyer Shoeman ap.
peared on the scene and gave me a
draft for $50, 900, together with $40, 600 cash.
L then went to Denver and shortly af-
terwardS received note asking me to meet
Miss Vandore at Pueblo. | went there,
and again Shoeman appeared, telling me
that Miss Vandore was dying. l tainted,
and when | regained consciousness l found
myself prisoner. The draft and cash |
had secreted in my hustle, but my iailers
secured it. | was kept imprisoned in
room for weeks alone and while there,
shut out from all womanly companionship
and deprived of all care and attention so
greatly needed, my babe was born They
killed my babe before my very eyes. Three
weeks ago a man entered my room and said
| was free to go. He explained the delay by
saving that the man who kept me
prisoner said l was his crazy sister. The
torture to which l was subjected! Look
here land Mrs. Brooks held up her hand
to view.l When l had recovered sufici-
emily went 10 San Francisco, and there I
met Anne Butterfield, my cousin. To-
gether we started East, but becoming suspi-
cious that she was in a conspiracy against
my liberty, slipped out of the car one
night, taking, with me her hat, dress,
pocketbook and ticket. ! waited until the
next train, and then proceeded en- my
journey"
Mrs. Brooks shows the booty taken from
Miss Butterfield as evidence that she is
telling the truth. Mr.. Brooks saws he has
no doubt as to the truth of his wife's story.
The couple appeared to be fond of each
other, and there is rothing sentimental
about either. Mrs. Brooks attributes her
release to the publication a month ago of
the fact that detectives had been put to
work on her case by her friends.